Log-centering barker feeding mechanism



Aug. 4, 1959 R. E. ANNIS, JR

LOG-CENTERING BARKER FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 4, 1956 Y Y 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 R. E. ANNIS, JR

LOGCENTERING BARKER FEEDING MECHANISM Aug. 4, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet Filed Jan. 4, 1956 IIIIIIIIFIIII Aug. 4, 1959 Filed Jan. 4, 1956 R. E. ANNIS, JR

LOG-CENTERING BARKER FEEDING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 LOG-CENTERING BARKER FEEDING MECHANISM Rupert E. Annis, lira, Salem, Mass, assignor to Improved Machinery, Inc, Nashua, N.H., a corporation of Maine Application January 4, 1955, Serial No. 557,313

Claims. (Cl. 144247) This invention relates to machines for removing bark from logs, and more particularly, it relates to feeding mechanisms for such machines.

Machines to remove bark from logs are well known in the pulpwood logging industry, and often employ an annular rotating member, or drum, carrying a number of angularly spaced knives which scrape the bark from the log as it is fed through said member. In most instances, machines of this type have proven completely satisfactory and have found wide use. Where barking operations are to be carried out on relatively short logs, however, as are commonly used for pulp in the northeastern section of the United States, considerable difficulty has been experienced primarily because of the inability of the feeding mechanism associated with the machines to handle short logs. Accordingly, there has been developed new feeding apparatus, as disclosed in application Serial No. 476,642, filed December 21, 1954, now Patent No. 2,815,776, issued Dec. 10, 1957, specially adapted for use in a debarking machine of the type therein disclosed, in that it is capable of providing firm radial support for the log and preventing the same from rotating, while at the same time advancing the log axially through the barking mechanism. It is a feature of this feeding apparatus that changes in the radial spacing of the log gripping members occur automatically in accordance with variations in the diameters of successive logs presented to the feeding apparatus.

It is an object of the present invention to provide improved feeding apparatus for a barking machine which is not only self-opening and closing, as aforementioned, but also self-adjusting in a manner whereby a firmer grip on the logs is maintained in spite of substantial differences between the diameters of successive logs and in spite of irregularities which may exist on the surfaces of some of the logs.

In brief, the feeding apparatus of the present invention is constituted by two distinct feeding mechanisms located adjacent the respective input and output ends of the barking machine, each of itself being adapted to radially restrain a log and keep it from rotating, While advancing the log axially through the drum. The feeding mechanism adjacent the input end of the barking machine supports the log in cantilever while advancing the same through the drum until it is engaged by the feeding mechanism adjacent the output end of the drum. The latter serves to continue the axial advance of the log while its trailing portion passes through the drum, and thereafter to eject the log from the machine. Each feeding mechanism has three angularly spaced endless tracks or the like disposed symmetrically about the axis of the barking machine normally both parallel and tangential to a cylinder on said axis, each of the tracks in turn being provided with a Working surface including a plurality of log gripping members to engage the log during a' lineal traverse of the track and thereby restrain the same against radial and rotational movement. To drive the tracks and thereby advance the log axially, there are provided for each track, a pair of axially spaced sprockets carried by a pair of shafts which are so mounted that even while the track is being driven, individual pivotal movement of the tracks is allowed to take place. Thus the tracks will not only open and close to accommodate different diameters of logs but will tilt individually as required to maintain the log gripping members in engagement with the log throughout substantially the Whole of their lineal traverses. To make the tracks self-centering as well, so that the log will be maintained in axial alignment with the barking mechanism, there are provided operative connections between the tracks or more particularly their associated mounting members to that as the radial spacing of a particular track changes, an equal change will be caused to take place in the radial spacing of the other tracks.

The novel features of the invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will become more readily apparent when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of a conventional debarking machine with portions broken away to show the apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 illustrating in detail one of the feeding mechanisms of the apparatus according to the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 2; and

Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views taken on lines 4-4 and 5-5 respectively of Fig. 3.

Referring first to Fig. 1 wherein so much of a conventional barking machine is shown as is necessary for a clear understanding of the present invention, it will be observed that the machine includes frame members 10 and 11., the former supporting a drive motor 12 for the drum 13, and the latter supporting a motor 14 and gear box 15 to drive the feeding mechanisms. To rotate the drum at the most efiicient speed for barking, the drum is driven through a jack shaft 16 mounting a pair of pulleys 17 and 18 which are individually coupled to suitable pulleys on the motor shaft and on the drum by means of V-belts 19 and 20, respectively. To drive the feed mechanisms, on the other hand, speed reducing gear box 15 has its input shaft coupled to motor 14, and its output shaft coupled to one of the shafts 21 associated with the feeding mechanisms of the present invention by means of a V-belt 22. There are two other shafts 23 and 24 associated with the feeding mechanisms which are similar to shaft 21, and which are coupled thereto by means of a timing belt 25. A conventional infeed conveyor 26, as is commonly used to present logs one after another to a barking machine, is shown in outline at the infeed end of the machine.

Since the two feeding mechanisms which comprise the apparatus of the present invention are substantially the same and are driven through shafts 21, 23 and 24 which are common to both, the invention will be described at length with reference only to the input feeding mechanism which is shown in considerably more detail in Fig. 2.

With' reference now to Fig. 2 and its related sectional views of Figs. 3 and 4, it will be observed that this feeding mechanism includes three articulatedtracks 27, 28 and 29, disposed symmetrically about the axis of the drum and radially spaced therefrom by equal amounts. Each articulate section of track has a pair of transverselyspaced lugs, such as lugs 3%, which project inwardly from the track section and through which there is passed a pin 31.

Projecting outwardly from each section of the track, is a log gripping member 32. Log gripping member 32 is in essence constituted by a bar having a series of transversely spaced notches therein for engagement with a log there: are provided a-pair= ofnaxially spaced sprockets. 34-:

and-35 whose teeth are-arranged to mesh. withzthe pins 31 when the track is passed around thegears. Sprocket 3'4 is'adapted to berotatably mounted on a stub shaft 36. formedat the endof a pivot arm 37, and tosthis end a bushing 38 is provided in thehub of the-sprocket for .ro-- tating contact with the shaft. Sprocket 34 is. maintained imposition axially' by a shoulder :portion 39- on the shaft 36 -and'acap 40 fastened to the-end of the shaft to hold the-hub against the shoulder. With reference now to sprocket 35,- it will be observed that thesameis keyed to' a driving shaft 41 which extends generally longitudi-.

nally.and 'interiorly of a second pivot arm 42 which .is axially spaced from the pivot arm 37. To rotatably'sup: port-shaft 41, .thereis a ball bearing-'43 in a cylindricat bore at one end of pivot arm 42 and a ball bearing-44 mountedin similar fashionat the opposite end of the arm. Bearings 43 and-44 are:.heldin place bycaps: 45

and46, respectively, the formerin combination-with a.

nut 47 which is threaded onto the end of the shaft'towards-'theleft of Fig. 3 serving to fix the position of -the shaft axially.

Arms 37 and 42 in turn -are pivotally supported by three pillow blocks 48, 49 and SG disposed inspaced axial alignment with one another, and for thispurpose, there are joined to the respective armshollow tubes 51 and. 52, respectively, which mount bearing sleeves 53, 54 andSS, 56 for pivotal contact with the inner walls of the pillow blocks. As best shown in Fig. 3, tube 51 extends between pillow blocks 48 and 49, and tube 52 extends between pillow blocks 49 and 50, the adjacent ends of .the tubes lying relativelyclose to one anotherin the central region of pillow block 49. To fix'the axial positionof the tubes with respect to thepillow blocks to the extent that-the sprockets34 and 35:will be held apart a fixed amount and the track27 maintained under proper tension; one endofthe pillow block 48 is provided with an annular recess for a thrust bearing 57 which is held in place by a nut 58 threaded onto the end of the tube 51. In contact-with theend of pillow block-49 remote from the pillow block 48-; there;is another-thrust bearing59 carried in an annularrecessin. tube 52 whose diameter at this point is somew-hatenlarged, as shown. Pillow blocks 48-50 are in turnbolted to a fixed frame member 60 associated with the feeding mechanism.

Extending axially of the assembly-of the tubes and pillow blocks thus formed, there is seen the shaft -21 which is :journaled in suitable bearings 61 and 62. A pair of axially spaced cartridges 63 and 64 are provided to support theyrespective bearings 61 and 62 radially and a cap 65;pressedinto the outer end of cartridge 64 serves in combination with a flange portion 66 on-cartridge 63 to restrain the shaft axially. As shown, the shaft 21 is formed in sections which are intercoupled by means of universal joints 67 and 68, thereby insuring free-rotation ofthe shaft irrespective of any slight misalignment of bearings. 61 and 62 with respect to the correspondingbearings of track 84 of the output feeding mechanism.

With particular reference nowto Figs. 2 and 3, it-will be observed that sprocket 35, one of the driven sprockets, 1s:dr1ven through -a worm 69 keyed to shaft-21 and a wheel 70- keyedto shaft 41. By virtue of this mode of coupling, pivotal movement ofthe track is permitted to take place withoutaffecting its. drivenrelation to shaft 21, To bias the tracks so that their log gripping members wlll be urged into engagement witha log, there are prov ded a .number of pneumatic resilient devices 71, one for each p vot arm. Each pivot arm, such as arm 37, for example, has a flat thereon against which its associated resilient device 71' bears, the latter being held by fixed frame member 60.

There is joined to each tube member, such as, for example, tube memberSl, a lever .72 having a pair of arm portions 72' and 72" whose respective edge surfaces cradle a pair of connecting rods 73 and 74. Drilled lug portions through which the connecting rods 73 and 74 are passed are provided at the tips of the respective arm portions, one end of each of the rods being threaded and having nuts 75 and 76 thereon to connect the rods to the lever.

"-The opposite endsof the rods are likewise threaded for connection with the adjacent levers and, in this way, the three arms in each angularly spaced group are adapted to pivot in concert, by equal amounts, to maintain thelogs in axial alignment with the drum. There is also provided arubber-pad- 77 on each arm 72 for contact with frame member to limit the pivotal movement of the arm in a clockwise direction (Fig. 2) and thereby prevent the tracks from closing to the extent that they come in contact with one another.

Between eachpair of arms,such'as ar-ms 37 and 42,.are means to limit' their pivotal movement-relativeto oneanother. For this purpose, as best shown-in Fig. 5, there is clamped onto arm .42 a bar member 81 which extends in the general direction of arm 37, and there is'joined to arm 37a cooperating fork member 82. The fork like projections of member 82 respectively-overlie and underlie portions of the surfaces of member 81where therev are rubberbumpers 83'to cushion the force exerted. by.

to drive both tracks'27 and 84, the-former-being driven through worm 69 and wheelwhich is rigidly mounted on shaft 41. Shaft 41in turn drives sprocket 35, thedriving gear for the track, and through'the track the idler sprocket 34 isdriven. As is apparent from Fig. 2, the two other tracks of each feeding mechanism are driven inlike manner by sh-afts 23 and 24.

Each'log to be barked is presented to the input feeding mechanism'from infeed conveyor 26 and by virtue of the pivotal mounting of the tracksand the biasing-thereofby the pneumatic resilient devices 71, the tracks open or close when the log is admitted if its diameter differs from the diameter of the precedinglog. In this way, the

teeth of'the log gripping members arecausedfirmly to engage the log during the respective lineal traverses'of the tracks which normally extend parallel to the axis'of the drum. The operative connectionbetween the tracks as is afforded by levers 72 and the connecting rods therebetween insures that thetracks will open and close in concert by equal amounts so that the logwill be maintained in axial alignment with the drum; During the transition between thetrailing endof one log and the leading end of the next succeeding log, the operation of the tracks is aided in a considerable measure-by the ability of the tracks to tilt. Such tilting-movement results from the relatively different angular-positions which will be assumed by the arms associated witheach -track' when the diameters of successive logsare different. The

same is true when surface irregularities occur in asi'ngl.

log -wherebythe loggrippirig members are maintained in firm engagement with the log throughout substantially th'e whole of the lineal traverses of the tracks.

Although the novel apparatus of the present inventiontails, but should be deemed to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for axially feeding a log through a barking mechanism, said apparatus comprising a feeding mechanism adjacent an end of the barking mechanism, said feeding mechanism including a group of at least three angularly spaced endless tracks disposed symmetrically about the axis of the barking mechanism and having respective lineal traverses extending normally parallel and adjacent to said axis, the individual tracks being provided with a plurality of log gripping members extending generally transversely thereof to engage a log during said lineal traverses; a pair of axially spaced sprockets to drive each of the tracks and thereby advance the log axially; a pair of shafts mounting said pair of sprockets, respectively, at least one of said shafts being adapted to drive the sprocket mounted thereon; a pair of pivot arms mounting said shafts, respectively, said pivot arms having inner portions carrying said tracks andouter portions extending radially outwardly of the pivot points of said arms, fixed support means extending generally parallel to the axis of the barking mechanism for individual pivotal connection With said pivot arms, biasing means acting on the individual support arms to urge the tracks towards the log; means to limit the extent of the relative pivotal movement of the sprockets; and connecting means including cable means extending between angularly adjacent outer portions of the pivot arms to equalize the pivotal movement thereof and thereby maintain the log in axial alignment with the braking mechanism.

2. Apparatus for axially feeding a log through a barking mechanism, said apparatus comprising a feeding mechanism adjacent an end of the barking mechanism, said feeding mechanism including a group of three angularly spaced endless tracks disposed symmetrically about the axis of the barking mechanism and having respective lineal traverses extending normally parallel and adjacent to said axis, the individual tracks being provided with a plurality of log gripping members extending generally transversely thereof to engage a log during said lineal traverses; a pair of axially spaced sprockets to drive each of the tracks and thereby advance a log axially, a pair of shafts mounting said pair of sprockets, respectively, a pair of pivot arms mounting said shafts, respectively, said pivot arms having inner portions carrying said tracks and outer portions extending radially outwardly of the pivot point of said arms, means to drive at least one of said shafts; including a drive shaft geared to the driven shaft; fixed hollow cylindrical support means disposed concentrically about said drive shaft and being adapted to rotatably mount the same; means to join pivotally said pivot arms to said support means permitting said arms to pivot independently of one another; pneumatic compression spring biasing means acting on the individual pivot arms to urge the tracks toward the log; means to limit the extent of the relative pivotal movement of the arms; and connecting means including cable means extending between angularly adjacent outer portions of the pivot arms to equalize the pivotal movement of the arms and thereby maintain the log in axial alignment with the barking mechanism.

3. Apparatus for axially feeding a log through a barking mechanism including three substantially equi-length arms, pivot means mounting said arms generally centrally thereof for swinging movement each about an axis parallel to the line of feed to provide inner and outer portions thereof, means supporting the pivot means at points on the corners of an imaginary equi-lateral triangle having a center coinciding with the center of the line of feed, log gripping means mounted on the inner portion of each arm to engage logs to support and guide them substantially coincident with the center of the triangle, penumatic compression spring biasing means resiliently urging the arms and thus the log gripping means toward the center of the line of feed, means to limit the extent of relative pivotal movement of said arms moving said log gripping means in a direction toward the center of said line of feed, and connecting means including cable means extending between the outer portions of adjacent arms radially outwardly of said pivot means so that any swinging movement of one arm about its pivot means is transmitted to the other two arms in substantially the same degree.

4. Apparatus for axially feeding a log through a barking mechanism including three substantially equi-length arms, pivot means mounting said arms generally centrally thereof for swinging movement each about an axis parallel to the line of feed to provide inner and outer portions thereof, means supporting the pivot means at points on the corners of an imaginary equilateral triangle having a center coinciding with the center of the line of feed, log gripping means mounted on the inner portion of each arm to engage logs to support and guide them substantially coincident with the center of the triangle, biasing means resiliently urging the arms and thus the log gripping means toward the center of the line of feed, means to limit the extent of relative pivotal movement of said arms moving said log gripping means in a direction toward the center of said line of feed, and connecting means including cable means extending between the outer portions of adjacent arms radially outwardly of said pivot means so that any swinging movement of one arm about its pivot means is transmitted to the other two arms in substantially the same degree.

5. Apparatus for axially feeding a log through a barking mechanism including three substantially equi-length arms, pivot means mounting said arms each for swinging movement about an axis parallel to the line of feed, means supporting the pivot means at points on the corners of an imaginary equilateral triangle having a center coinciding with the center of the line of feed, log gripping means mounted on the inner portion of each arm to engage logs to support and guide them substantially coincident with the center of the triangle, pneumatic compression spring biasing means resiliently urging the arms and thus the log gripping means toward the center of the line of feed, means to limit the extent of relative pivotal movement of said arms moving said log gripping means in a direction toward the center of said line of feed, and mechanical connecting means extending between adjacent arms radially outwardly of said pivot means so that any swinging movement of one arm about its pivot means is transmitted to the other two arms in substantially the same degree.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 940,016 Hick Nov. 16, 1909 1,067,360 McSorley et a1 July 15, 1913 1,252,894 Fitzgerald Jan. 8, 1918 1,937,073 Stuve Nov. 28, 1933 2,314,605 Arnold Mar. 23, 1943 2,374,429 Hayes et al Apr. 24, 1945 2,477,922 Emery et al. Aug. 2, 1949 7,785,715 Brundell et al Mar. 19, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 34,951 Sweden June 4, 1913 

